Memorise faster: the science of learning
A lot to remember?
Feeling like it’s not sticking?
Let me share a little secret…
There’s a new science to learning.
You will be shocked at how much time you can save.
Start with this article on the best way to memorise, or go deeper by browsing my recommended memory books and resources, best blog articles and podcast episodes below.
Ready to supercharge your learning – for good?
BTW… if you ever need more personalised guidance with learning for your exams, click here to learn more about my 1:1 study coaching. I’d be glad to help.
Featured Articles
What is chunking and how to use it to boost memory
For most of us, our memories have their limits! Chunking helps you overcome the natural limitations of your memory, and is therefore a very powerful trick for helping you to learn information and get it into memory. Read on to discover what chunking is, and to explore...
Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve explained: the importance of spaced learning for memory
Sure as the mountains wear down, we all forget what we once knew. Though we generally forget quite a bit faster than mountains wearing down! The famous “Ebbinghaus forgetting curve” measures just how fast we forget. I’m going explain what Ebbinghaus’ curve is, and...
BEST memorisation techniques for exams: the secret science of how to remember what you study
Scientists have reached broad agreement that there is one memorisation technique for exams and tests that, above all others, that will solve the age-old question of how to remember what you study… as few as 7% of college-level students are using this technique as their main revision strategy.
More Articles
These Are The 51 Best Exam Study Tips For Students in 2021
If you're looking for the best exam study tips to help you ace your exams this year, you're in the right place. I'm a memory psychologist and study productivity expert, and have taught thousands of students how to study more effectively over the years. These are...
7 Magical Holiday Study Tips For 2020
Got study plans this Christmas? You’re not alone. Whether you’re writing coursework, reading for a dissertation, or revising for exams, you and millions of other students around the world are preparing to get a bit of work done this holiday season. Getting the balance...
The greatest of all back-to-school study tips: revealed
My all-time favourite back to school study tip is called retrieval journaling: want to know how it can transform your grade this year? Its power lies in its ability to stop you forgetting most of what your course within a few weeks (or even days!) of being taught it,...
7 habits of highly successful students: effective study habits for college and high school
I had a long car journey the other day, and used it listen to the audiobook for “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”. It’s sold over 25 million copies, and has been named one of the most influential books of all time. In it, Dr Stephen Covey, set out to...
Pegword method: how to use it, and does it really work
The pegword method is a useful mnemonic technique for learning a list of items in order, particularly when those items are concrete, visual objects rather than abstract concepts. As featured on the Exam Study Expert podcast, Episode 11 on mnemonic techniques to study...
What is chunking and how to use it to boost memory
For most of us, our memories have their limits! Chunking helps you overcome the natural limitations of your memory, and is therefore a very powerful trick for helping you to learn information and get it into memory. Read on to discover what chunking is, and to explore...
Science of Learning: 6 Strategies With Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones [PODCAST]
Learn faster and remember more for better grades in less time: Six science-based strategies for success. Welcome to "Science Of Learning" season on the Exam Study Expert podcast! Over the next few weeks, we'll be maximising YOUR memory - breaking down the exact...
Retrieval Practice: The Ultimate Guide [PODCAST]
I'm breaking down exactly how to unleash the immense power of this must-know memory strategyThe most important thing I can teach you is to use retrieval practice a lot and to use it well. So that's what I'm doing today: sit back, we're going deeper than ever before...
Secret of Spaced Learning – with Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel [PODCAST]
In my experience, spaced learning is the biggest opportunity for students to massively boost their grades. Spaced learning expert Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel joins us to reveal all... Can you remember what you learned last week? How about last month? Spaced learning is an...
Visual Learning & Dual Coding – With Oliver Caviglioli [PODCAST]
How visualising information can help you learn: the real science of "visual learning" and how to use it to supercharge learning There’s no such thing as a “visual learner”. The idea that some of us are “visual learners” and learn best through imagery is a myth, and...
Interleaving & Desirable Difficulty – with Dr Veronica Yan [PODCAST]
Learn how this one neat trick can help you study math(s) smarter. + the science of actually APPLYING effective ways of studying. What is interleaving? Why is it so powerful for helping you learn faster and remember more? How can you use it? Listen in today, and all...
How To Focus – With James Lang [PODCAST]
The science of concentration: why focus is hard and what you can do about it. Wish you could concentrate harder or for longer?James Lang’s book Distracted took the world of education by storm: he’s here to share his top tips on overcoming distraction and maximising...
Brain Chemistry of Memory, Stress & Attention – with Ginny Smith [PODCAST]
A fascinating guide to what's going on in your brain at a molecular level. Learn how to take better care of it for better memory, more focus and less stress. The chemistry of your brain is everything to how you think, learn and focus. You might have heard of some of...
What’s On My Bookshelf: Top 5 Juiciest Gems (Podcast)
There's some incredible wisdom to be found on my bookshelf. Listen to some of the BEST tips and tricks to be found in five of my most-loved books about studying and learning.There's some incredible wisdom to be found on my bookshelf. Today, I pick out some of the BEST...
Mnemonics, memory magic, and the art of getting things done
Episode 11 of the Exam Study Expert podcast: "Mnemonics, memory magic, and the art of getting things done with Dr Adam Putnam". Listen now The Exam Study Expert podcast is available on all good podcast platforms, including: If you have an Apple iPhone or iPad, we're...
How to Study with Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones: Learning Scientist and Self-Care Advocate
Episode 7 of the Exam Study Expert podcast: "How to Study With Dr Yana Weinstein-Jones: Learning Scientist and Self-Care Advocate". Listen now The Exam Study Expert podcast is available on all good podcast platforms, including: If you have an Apple iPhone or iPad,...
Useful tools
- Popular flashcards apps for learning: Anki, Brainscape, Quizlet.
- Buy physical paper flashcards: I was weirdly excited to see Amazon still stocks the exact flashcard make that I used to buy as a student! I was a bit picky – you want a good quality of paper, the right size, and a spine that’s not so bulky that it’s uncomfortable to write on the back of a card when it’s flipped over (if you’re right handed, your hand is resting right over the spine at that point). Available in packs of five. Only available in the UK unfortunately – elsewhere, try these.
Recommended books
- Make It Stick: go deeper on the science of learning – this is a very readable book, almost like a novel. Really excellent.
- Understanding How We Learn: a superb visual primer on the science of learning – my copy is never far from my desk and is well-thumbed!
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. I make these recommendations based on personal experience and because I think they are genuinely helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I receive.
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